Midseason Analysis: Pittsburgh Penguins

Record: 31-19-1, 63 pts
Conference Rank: 4th
Division Rank: 2nd
Top Scorer: Sidney Crosby (32 goals, 31 assists, 63 points)
Top Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (25 wins, 2.60 GAA)
Midseason Grade: A-

The Stanley Cup champions don't look like they've lost a step since last year, and keep trucking right along. Sid Crosby has turned from one of the league's great playmakers to a bona fide goal scorer, and is on pace for his first 50 goal season. Malkin has hit a bit of a slump as of late, although his hat trick last night against the Islanders may be an indication of that being over, and he still has 47 points already. I can think of plenty of NHL stars that wish they could slump through nearly 2 weeks of play and still average more than a point per game.

The Pens have the 2nd best offense in the conference, behind only Alex Ovechkin and the high-flying Capitals. Billy Guerin is still playing great hockey, and Jordan Staal is one of the top two way players in the league, and leads the team with a +14 rating. Young Alex Goligoski looks primed to play a major role in the offense as well, with 6 goals and 23 points from the blueline already this year. Adding another weapon to a blueline that already features Sergei Gonchar is certainly a bonus for the Penguins.

Defensively, the Pens are solid, as usual. Fleury is having a great season, and has earned himself a shot at the starting job for Team Canada at the 2010 Olympics. Matt Cooke and Jordan Staal both rank in the top 25 NHL forwards in +/-, while the Pens' defensemen have been groomed for success with plenty of playoff experience across the board. Pittsburgh will, once again, be a team to watch in the postseason.